It took a while to find some good pictures of extant examples of the basic Surface Couching embroidery technique which I cover in this handout. And it took even more time to put the whole handout together but it was totally worth it! I am mighty proud of my new handout.

And as there are several different variations of Surface Couching, you maybe might even look forward to more handouts about this technique in the future. Well, you know, sometimes it’s all about the details. 😉

Finally it seems like working at this 14th century inspired Surface Couching embroidery project became a nice treat for me. 😀

Whenever I am too tired and just want to work at something “simple” or when I want to consider the next step for the 14th century XL hood project for my friends Pelican elevation, I pick up my embroidery frame and do some more stitches…

After all the successful previous preparation for this project (like drafting an XL pattern and creating a 14th century XL hood sample), I finally started working at the actual project some days ago:

A white 14th century XL hoodfor my friends Pelican elevation.

But first a short explanation for all readers who are not familiar with the SCA:
Whenever a member of the SCA shows great passion in “service” to the society, excels in the “arts & sciences” (like woodwork, embroidery, teaching about his/her craft,…) or shows great skill in fighting (“Heavy Fighting”, fencing,…) and some people who observe this commitment report it to The Royal Majesties of their kingdom (normally done via a recommendation form at the kingdom website) – well, then there is a good chance that this person might be awarded at one of the next events with an award. And, btw., every one of this awards comes also with a scroll… 😀

And though a good part of the envelope didn’t survive the long way from Europe to its final destination here in Kentucky/USA, the scroll was fortunately packed very well. Therefore I am very happy to say that my beautiful PCS scroll reached me unharmed and unbend.

But this was not the only project I was working on during the last days. All of my so-called “free time” was actually filled with drawing as well as a lot of hand-sewing and surface couching embroidery.

Just as I finished sewing my 14th century XL hood sample I received a wonderful gift from my mommy Sandra in the mail: awesome silver and gold threads!

Well, you can imagine what that means – play time and a lot fun for me! There was absolutely no doubt that I had to try out this lovely threads immediately so I could report back about the threads to my mom.

Do you remember the 14th century XL hood pattern about which I told you recently?

Well, then I have some great news for you! I managed to finish the hand-sewing part of my 14th century XL hood before “A Midsummer Day’s Brawl” – an SCA event in Tennessee last weekend and I took my finished XL sample hood with me to the event for a fitting.

Though my friend – for whom I drafted this pattern – and I were quite busy at the event, we managed to find some time where he was able to try on the 14th century XL sample hood and guess what! …it fits fine! *happydance*